Breathing apparatus



Nov. 20, 1962 e. L. MILLER BREATHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 15, 1958$054,646 BREATHING APPARATUS Galen L. Miller, 11930 S. Hamlin Ave.,Alsip, Ill. Filed Oct. 15, 1958, Ser. No. 767,416 4 Claims. (Cl. 128145)This invention relates to a brathing apparatus and, more particularly,to an apparatus adapted for use by a swimmer to facilitate remainingsubmerged for extended periods of time.

Underwater swimming and exploration has become increasingly popular forthe amateur swimmer and, in many geographical regions, is a highlydeveloped sport possessed of intrigue, fascination, and highlyeducational virtues. The sport is one which can be enjoyed by young andold alike.

Various apparatus of this type have heretofore been proposed; however,because of design, they are possessed of one or more of the followingshortcomings: (a) the apparatus is bulky and awkward to handle; (b) theapparatus seriously curtails the activities of the user thereof as tothe depth and time of submersion permissible, and the extent ofmovement; the apparatus is of costly and complex construction andcapable of use by one possessed of a high degree of swimming skill; and(d) the apparatus is possessed of dangerous potentialities and requiresthe exercise of a high degree of care when being used.

Thus, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide an apparatuswhich is not beset with the aforementioned shortcomings.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus whichis readily portable, effective in operation, and inexpensive to produce.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description,accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a breathingapparatus is provided for use with a horizontally disposed buoyantapertured unit. The apparatus comprises a base adapted to be removablymounted on the unit. Mounted on the base, and extending upwardlytherefrom, is an elongated inflexible first conduit having the upperfree end thereof downwardly deflected toward the upper surface of thebase and terminating a substantial distance therefrom.

lnsertable through an aperture in the buoyant unit and connected influid seal relation with the lower end of the first conduit is one endof an elongated flexible conduit. Both the first and second conduits areimpervious to the fluid in which the unit is buoyant.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should bemade to the drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view, on reduced scale, showing the improved apparatus inoperation.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the improved apparatus inassembled relation.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom view of the improved apparatus in partiallyassembled relation with respect to a buoyant unit.

PK}. 4 is a sectional view, on reduced scale, taken along line 44 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational View of the improved apparatus in fullyassembled relation.

Referring now to the drawing and, more particularly to FIG. 1, theimproved breating apparatus is shown in use by a swimmer 11 submerged ina fluid, such as water, 12. The apparatus 10 is provided to facilitateunderwater swimming or exploration.

Apparatus 10 comprises a base 13 which, in this instance, is formed atleast in part of a pliable sheet material and is adapted to be removablymounted on a buoyant unit 14 which, in this instance, is in the form ofan inflatable inner tube. By reason of the pliable character of base 13,the latter is adapted to readily conform to the contour of unit 14.

Mounted centrally on base 13, and extending upwardly therefrom, is aninflexible conduit or pipe 15, which has the upper free end thereof 16deflected in a downward direction toward the upper surface of base 13.End 16 of pipe is spaced a substantial distance above the upper surfaceof base 13 and, in turn, the surface of the water 12 on which the unit13 floats. Because of its downwardly deflected configuration, thepossibility of liquid passing through the pipe is minimized,notwithstanding the fact that there is considerable turbulence of thewater.

The pipe 15 terminates within a connector 17 which is aflixed, in thisinstance, to the central portion of base 13. The central portion of base13 may, if desired, be of thicker material than the remainder of thebase and thus prevent unbalancing of conduit 15 in the event the swimmerexerts a sudden jerk on the flexible conduit 18. The connector 17 has adownwardly extending portion 17a which is disposed within the centralopening 14a of the unit 14. Portion 17a of the connector 17 is providedwith internal threads and is adapted to accommodate an externallythreaded end of an elongated flexible conduit or pipe 18. The length ofpipe 18 is dependent upon the depth of the water in which the swimmer 11desires to swim or otherwise maneuver.

To the lower end of pipe 18, in this instance, is connected a mouthand/or nose-piece 20 which is adapted to be properly positioned on theface of the swimmer and held in such positioned by suitable straps 21 orthe like. Pipes 15 and 18 are preferably of a lightweightfluidimpervious material. Such piece 20 may, if desired, be omitted andthe lower end of pipe 18 held directly in the mouth of the swimmer.

The marginal portion 13:: of the base 13, in this instance, is providedwith a hem 22 in which is disposed a draw-cord 23. The cord 23, whendrawn up tightly, causes the base 13 to snugly envelop the unit 14.Because of the pliable character of base 13 and the adjustability ofdraw-cord 23, the base is adapted to accommodate buoyant units 14, whichvary widely in shape and size. When the base 13 is brought into snugengagement with unit 14, the central portion of base 13 might be raisedup slightly, as seen in FIG. 5.

Thus, it will be seen that an improved apparatus has been provided whichis extremely simple and inexpensive in construction, does not interferewith the movement of the arms and legs of the swimmer, may be utilizedby young and old alike, and is of material aid to the swimmer whenengaged in underwater activity.

While a particular embodiment of this invention is shown above, it willbe understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limitedthereto, since many modifications may be made and it is contemplated,therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications asfall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In combination with an apertured buoyant unit, a

reathing apparatus comprising a detachable base mounted on said buoyantunit, said base having a pliable sheetlike marginal portion extendingabout the entire periphery of and effecting partial envelopment of suchunit, an upright inflexible elongated first conduit mounted on saidbase, the upper end of said first conduit being downwardly deflected andspaced a substantial distance above the upper surface of said base whenthe latter is in assembled relation with such unit, releasable meanscooperating with said base marginal portion for effecting retention ofsaid 3 marginal portion in said unit-enveloping position, and anelongated flexible second conduit having one end thereof insertedthrough an aperture in such unit and removably connected in fluid sealrelation to the other end of said first conduit; said first and secondconduits being impervious to the fluid in which such unit is buoyant.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the releasable meansincludes a draw-cord carried on the marginal portion of said base.

3. In combination with an apeitured buoyant unit, a breathing apparatuscomprising a detachable base mounted on said buoyant unit, said basehaving an imperforate sheetlike top portion adapted to overlie saidbuoyant unit and close the aperture therein and a pliable sheetlikemarginal portion extending about the periphery of and effecting at leastpartial enveloprnent of said buoyant unit, releasable means cooperatingwith said base marginal portion for effecting retention of said marginalportion in said unit-enveloping position, a connector mounted centrallyin said imperforate top portion, a first conduit attached to andextending upwardly from one end of said connector and having 'adownwardly deflected tipspaced a substantial distance above the topportion of said base when said base is in assembled relation with saidbuoyant unit, and a flexible second conduit having one end thereofremovably connected in a fluid seal relation to the other end of saidconnector.

' flexible part extending upwardly from said imperforate 4. Incombination with an apertured buoyant unit, a reathing apparatuscomprising a detachable base mount ed on said buoyant unit, saithbasehaving an imperforate sheetlike top portion adapted to overliesaidbuoyant unit and close theaperture. therein, a pliable sheetlikemarginal portion extending about the periphery of and effecting at leastpartial enveloprnent of said buoyant unit, releasable means cooperatingwith said marginal portion for eflecting retention of said marginalportion in said unit-envelopingposition, and a'conduit connected to saidimperforate top portion and having a first relatively in- ReferencesCited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 531,695 Great BritainNov. 8, 1949 1,139,978 France Feb. 25, 1957 1,153,850 France 0a. 14,1957

